parabolic mirror

American  

[par-uh-bahl-ik mir-er] / ˌpær əˈbɑl ɪk ˈmɪr ər /

noun

plural

parabolic mirrors

1. a dish-shaped mirror whose reflecting surface forms a partial paraboloid rather than a partial sphere, with the effect that rays reflected from the focus advance parallel to the principal axis instead of spreading out at a wide angle, and incoming parallel rays are reflected into the focus. Parabolic mirrors are used in searchlights, vehicle headlights, telescopes, and radio antennas, among other things.

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parabolic mirror Scientific  

1. A concave mirror whose cross-section is shaped like the tip of a parabola. Most of the light, radio waves, sound, and other radiation that enter the mirror straight on is reflected by the surface and converges on the focus of the parabola, where being concentrated, it can be easily detected. Conversely, radiation emanating from the focal point reflects from the inner surface of the mirror into a fairly direct beam of nearly parallel radiation that can be aimed at a target. Parabolic mirrors are the basis of parabolic antennae and automobile headlights, as well as some megaphones and telescopic mirrors.

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